'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Denver Broncos moved one step closer to clinching a playoff spot on Sunday after they beat the Indianapolis Colts. They also moved up to the No. 6 seed in the AFC with that win, switching positions with the LA Chargers, whose loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw them move down to No. 7 seed. Both teams play on Thursday night against each other.
The Broncos have not made the playoffs since 2015, when they went on to win Super Bowl 50 in quarterback Peyton Manning's final season in the NFL. After an 8-9 season last year, Denver's current 9-5 record represents a dramatic turnaround in Sean Peyton's second season as head coach.
Trending
Can the Broncos secure a playoff berth in Week 16?
The win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday secured the Denver Broncos their first winning season since 2016. That year, Trevor Siemian was the team's starting quarterback. However, the team has yet to secure a playoff berth, even though they are close to doing that.
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
The Broncos can secure a playoff spot as early as Thursday when they are scheduled to face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. If they don't win, they can still make the playoffs by winning one of their final two games (against the Cincinnati Bengals and against the Kansas City Chiefs).
The Broncos are three games ahead of the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts in the AFC playoff picture. What that means is that at least one of those teams has to win out while the Broncos lose out before Denver can miss out on playoff football this season.
Denver Broncos' playoff scenario explored
According to Sportskeeda's Playoff Predictor, the Denver Broncos will win only one of their remaining three games in the regular season, but that will still be enough to secure them their first playoff spot in eight years.
According to the prediction tool, Denver will finish the season at No. 6 in the AFC and then face the No. 3-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoffs.
Denver Broncos Fans! Check out the latest Denver Broncos Schedule and dive into the Broncos Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.
